Inside Autograph Collection's Hip New UK Hotels

You might have heard of theAutograph Collection Hotels—a group of upmarket boutique hotels in all corners of the globe that reflect style and individuality. What you might not know is that each one of the 160 boutique hotels that make up the label is hand-picked by Marriott International, whose purpose in creating Autograph was to introduce a new collection of hotels with a distinctive, thoughtful style and a strong connection to their surroundings. This might mean a passionate owner whose family history imbibes every corner of the property, or a chef who insists on making her own honey on the hotel's roof garden.

Perhaps the best way to understand the philosophy behind the brand is to look closer at Autograph's three latest additions. Located in England, each of the three hotels expertly ties innovative design with a strong sense of place, from a converted prison in central London to a Cambridge legend that pays homage to the city's rich literary past.

Located near the Tower Bridge on Tooley Street, the Dixon is part of a growing creative neighborhood. The Tate Modern, Shakespeare’s Globe and the new Bridge Theatre are all walking distance from this magnificent 193-room hotel.

The hotel was named after John Dixon Butler, the architect who originally constructed the building in 1905. Back then, it served as a court and police station. Look closely, and you can spot the Met Police's insignia on the original tiled floor in the lobby. The hotel's chief designer, Rani Ahluwalia, creative director at M Studio London, also kept the building's original Edwardian oak paneling and its central staircase, where once upon a time convicts gathered to smoke while waiting their turn to see the judge. (It was a petty crimes court, so no gruesome murderers to worry about, in case you're afraid of ghosts.)

The Dixon, London.

Autograph Collection Hotels

There are many nods to the building's history in its current design, from the tiny handcuffs that adorn the glass chandelier in the lobby to a "key wall" near the elevator bank to which Ahluwalia stuck the actual cell keys from the original building, which have been polished and restored. Even the old wooden benches in which prisoners etched their thoughts—and even a swear word or two—have been restored, immortalized and placed throughout the hotel and in some of the guest suites.

Off the main lobby, the cheekily-named Courtroom Bar (because yes, it used to be a courtroom) continues this unique theme, with the drinks served under the original structure of the judge’s bench. The hotel’s restaurant, Provisioners, whose nod to the Bauhaus and mid-century era has created a funky, functional design that's both warm and hip, also pays tribute to the Dixon's colorful past: if you look down, you'll be able to see markers in the terrazzo floor outlining where the former holding cells used to be. One of these old cells has actually been transformed into the restaurant's coffee store, smack bang in the middle of the restaurant floor—explore at your own peril, but just be careful not to accidentally slam the thick iron door behind you.

Bankside is an intimate, 161-room hotel in London's arty South Bank neighborhood. The design, led by Dayna Lee of Los Angeles’ Powerstrip Studio, pays homage to its surroundings, opting for what Lee has described as an "art-school style." Lee commissioned British craftsmen to create a number of pieces for the hotel: one of these artists, Laura Carlin, a ceramicist and illustrator from London, provided two wall murals composed of illustrated tiles that reflect the different cultural narratives of South Bank. On a more playful note, each room features its own mini art-making kit (an art easel and paints), allowing guests to join in the spirit and make their own masterpiece.

The hotel has also partnered with Contemporary Collective to run a rolling "Maker in Residence" program. There's an on-site artist studio, located on the ground floor of the hotel, which will provide emerging artists space and opportunity to showcase their work. The hotel also hosts a series of curated talks, previews and events that offer guests and passers-by the chance to get to know local artists. The first artists to participate were London-based urban landscape painters Luke M. Walker and Andrea Tyrimos, who both use art to raise awareness about environmental issues.

Bankside, London.

Autograph Collection Hotels

Speaking of which, the hotel prides itself on not using any single-use plastics anywhere on site, and its furnishings, in-room bedding, and upholstery are all chemical-free—meaning no allergic reactions for anyone with sensitive skin.

The hotel has also done away with the traditional mini-bar concept—it's a huge waste since no one actually buys anything from mini-bars anymore—and instead, has opted for high-tech vending machines available on each of the hotel's floors, by the elevator bank. These are not your typical vending machines, however. They have a state-of-the-art touchscreen display and, aside from the essentials, also offer tongue-in-cheek items like an adjustable emergency engagement ring, and, even better, a pair of sparkly hot pants. (The hotel let it slip that this past Valentine's Day, the vending machines actually sold out of the sparkly hot pants—but not the engagement rings. Make of that what you will.)

Celebrated interior designer Martin Brudnizki has turned this 192-room hotel in Cambridge into an instant classic. Featuring Edwardian interiors with bespoke, leather-padded writing desks, low ottomans and rooms full of natural light, Brudnizki's intention was to create a hotel that matches Cambridge's heart and style—ambitious, classic, and full of life.

The hotel is quintessentially English. The literary and academic spirit of Cambridge is one of its central characteristics, from the color of the carpet in the corridors (representing different colleges) all the way to the lavatories (which, instead of soothing music, play an equally soothing audiobook of Kenneth Grahame's Wind in the Willows). The quintessential "Cambridge Blue" can also be found everywhere if you pay close attention, accenting small, intimate details.

University Arms, Cambridge.

Autograph Collection Hotels

Rooms and suites offer views of the city and Parker’s Piece outside; some even come with a traditional bookcase room divider, helping to retain a classically Cambridge feel. Downstairs, the library pays homage to the destination's academic heritage. Curated by Heywood Hill, one of the leading bookshops of London, the library is filled with books from renowned authors, many with suites at University Arms named after them. An original, wood-burning fireplace completes the cozy vibe.

Next door, Parker's Tavern, the hotel's bar and restaurant, is inspired by the communal dining halls of Cambridge's colleges. The English brasserie is in the capable hands of head chef Tristan Welch, who has designed every dish to be a whimsical re-imagining of a British classic, sourced from field, fen and England’s seas. Think succulent pies, suckling pig, wild mushrooms, hand-dived scallops, and a honey and thyme slow-roasted duck.

For dessert, the best offering from Welch's imagination is the rice pudding souffle and something called the "Apple epiphany"—a red apple mousse dessert that celebrates Sir Isaac Newton’s discovery of gravity. (Hot tip: the in-house sommelier, whose recommendations are excellent, is a lovely fellow and well worth a chat.)